I start my first solo next Saturday, entering through Kawahiwi Lake. I. Think I’m prepared, physically and gear-wise, but time will tell. I’d like some opinions on my footwear choices. For the portage and paddling, I plan on wearing Merril mid-Moab Ventilators for wet-footing and something light but comfortable for in camp. Are there any reasons I might want to ditch the Merrill’s for something else?

I wore Merrill water shoe type things on our trip to 37 a few weeks ago. I'd say if you like those keep them. Something else comfy and dry for camp is a must here, sometimes just old tennis shoes depending on weather.

When we went in and out there, no beaver dams before Square. Easy 24r out of square and then the 11 rod isn't there you just paddle through. But there is a monster of a beaver dam near Kawasachong to carry over/around. You'll hear it before you see it. Those are the only tripping details that deviated from the map for us.